Time-Temperature Scaling of Conductivity Spectra of Organic Plastic Crystalline Conductors

Organic plastic crystalline soft matter ion conductors are interesting alternatives to liquid electrolytes in electrochemical storage devices such as Lithium-ion batteries. The solvent dynamics plays a major role in determining the ion transport in plastic crystalline ion conductors. We present here an analysis of the frequency-dependent ionic conductivity of succinonitrile-based plastic crystalline ion conductors at varying salt composition (0.005 to 1 M) and temperature (-20 to 60 degrees C) using time-temperature superposition principle (TTSP). The main motivation of the work has been to establish comprehensive insight into the ion transport mechanism from a single method viz, impedance spectroscopy rather than employing cluster of different characterization methods probing various length and time scales. The TTSP remarkably aids in explicit identification of the extent of the roles of solvent dynamics and ion-ion interactions on the effective conductivity of the orientationally disordered plastic crystalline ion conductors.

Ductile fracture by multiple void growth and interaction ahead of a notch tip in polycrystalline plastic solids

The objectives of this paper are to study the effects of plastic anisotropy and evolution in crystallographic texture with deformation on the ductile fracture behaviour of polycrystalline solids. To this end, numerical simulations of multiple void growth and interaction ahead of a notch tip are performed under mode I, plane strain, small scale yielding conditions using two approaches. The first approach is based on the Hill yield theory, while the second employs crystal plasticity constitutive equations and a Taylor-type homogenization in order to represent the ductile polycrystalline solid. The initial textures pertaining to continuous cast Al-Mg AA5754 sheets in recrystallized and cold rolled conditions are considered. The former is nearly-isotropic, while the latter displays pronounced anisotropy. The results indicate distinct changes in texture in the ligaments bridging the voids ahead of the notch tip with increase in load level which gives rise to retardation in porosity evolution and increase in tearing resistance for both materials.

Influence of system size on spatiotemporal dynamics of a model for plastic instability: Projecting low-dimensional and extensive chaos

This work is a continuation of our efforts to quantify the irregular scalar stress signals from the Ananthakrishna model for the Portevin-Le Chatelier instability observed under constant strain rate deformation conditions. Stress related to the spatial average of the dislocation activity is a dynamical variable that also determines the time evolution of dislocation densities. We carry out detailed investigations on the nature of spatiotemporal patterns of the model realized in the form of different types of dislocation bands seen in the entire instability domain and establish their connection to the nature of stress serrations. We then characterize the spatiotemporal dynamics of the model equations by computing the Lyapunov dimension as a function of the drive parameter. The latter scales with the system size only for low strain rates, where isolated dislocation bands are seen, and at high strain rates, where fully propagating bands are seen. At intermediate applied strain rates corresponding to the partially propagating bands, the Lyapunov dimension exhibits two distinct slopes, one for small system sizes and another for large. This feature is rationalized by demonstrating that the spatiotemporal patterns for small system sizes are altered from the partially propagating band types to isolated burst type. This in turn allows us to reconfirm that low-dimensional chaos is projected from the stress signals as long as there is a one-to-one correspondence between the bursts of dislocation bands and the stress drops. We then show that the stress signals in the regime of partially to fully propagative bands have features of extensive chaos by calculating the correlation dimension density. We also show that the correlation dimension density also depends on the system size. A number of issues related to the system size dependence of the Lyapunov dimension density and the correlation dimension density are discussed.

Remoulded shear strength at plastic and semi-solid states

The undrained shear strength of remoulded soils is of great concern in geotechnical engineering applications. This study aims to develop a reliable approach for determining the undrained shear strength of remoulded fine-grained soils, through the use of index test results, at both the plastic and semi-solid states of consistency. Experimental investigation and subsequent analysis involving a number of fine-grained soils of widely varying plasticity and geological origin have led to a two-parameter linear model of the relationship between logarithm of remoulded undrained shear strength and liquidity index. The numerical values of the parameters are found to be dependent to a lesser extent on the soil group and to a greater extent on the soil state. Based on the values of regression coefficient, ranking index and ranking distance, it seems that the relationship represents the experimental results well. It may be pointed out that the possibility of such a relationship in the semi-solid state of a soil has not been explored in the past. It is also shown that the shear strength at the plastic limit is about 32-34 times that at the liquid limit.

Discussion: Remoulded shear strength at plastic and semi-solid states

The undrained shear strength of remoulded soils is of great concern in geotechnical engineering applications. This study aims to develop a reliable approach for determining the undrained shear strength of remoulded fine-grained soils, through the use of index test results, at both the plastic and semi-solid states of consistency. Experimental investigation and subsequent analysis involving a number of fine-grained soils of widely varying plasticity and geological origin have led to a two-parameter linear model of the relationship between logarithm of remoulded undrained shear strength and liquidity index. The numerical values of the parameters are found to be dependent to a lesser extent on the soil group and to a greater extent on the soil state. Based on the values of regression coefficient, ranking index and ranking distance, it seems that the relationship represents the experimental results well. It may be pointed out that the possibility of such a relationship in the semi-solid state of a soil has not been explored in the past. It is also shown that the shear strength at the plastic limit is about 32–34 times that at the liquid limit.

Detection of Hepatitis B DNA Sequences on Polyelectrolyte Based Non-Covalently Functionalized Flexible Plastic Substrates

Development of simple functionalization methods to attach biomolecules such as proteins and DNA on inexpensive substrates is important for widespread use of low cost, disposable biosensors. Here, we describe a method based on polyelectrolyte multilayers to attach single stranded DNA molecules to conventional glass slides as well as a completely non-standard substrate, namely flexible plastic transparency sheets. We then use the functionalized transparency sheets to specifically detect single stranded Hepatitis B DNA sequences from samples. We also demonstrate a blocking method for reducing non-specific binding of target DNA sequences using negatively charged polyelectrolyte molecules. The polyelectrolyte based functionalization method, which relies on surface charge as opposed to covalent surface linkages, could be an attractive platform to develop assays on inexpensive substrates for low cost biosensing.

Elastic-plastic contact conditions for frictionally constrained bodies under cyclic tangential loading

A Frictionally constrained condition implies dependence of friction force on tangential displacement amplitude. The condition may occur due to chemical, physical, and/or mechanical interaction between the contacting surfaces. The condition, sometimes also referred to as the presliding condition or partial slip condition, is characterized under fretting. Under such conditions, various experimental studies indicate the existence of two distinguishable regions, that is, stick region and slip region. In the present study, frictionally constrained conditions are identified and the evolutions of stick-slip regions are investigated in detail. Investigations have been performed on self-mated stainless steel and chromium carbide coated surfaces mated against stainless steel, under both vacuum and ambient conditions. Contact conditions prevailing at the contact interface were identified based on the mechanical responses and were correlated with the surface damage observed. Surface degradation has been observed in the form of microcracks and material transfer. Detailed numerical analysis has also been performed in order to understand the energy dissipation and the damage mode involved in the surface or subsurface damage. It has been observed that under frictionally constrained conditions, the occurrence of annular slip features are mainly due to the junction growth, resulting from elastic-plastic deformation at the contact interface. Ratcheting has been observed as the governing damage mode under cyclic tangential loading condition.

Analytical model for stress-strain response of plastic waste mixed soil

Recycling plastic water bottles has become one of the major challenges world wide. The present study provides an approach for the use of plastic waste as reinforcement material in soil, which can be used for ground improvement, subbases, and subgrade preparation in road construction. The experimental results are presented in the form of stress-strain-pore water pressure response and compression paths. On the basis of experimental test results, it is observed that the strength of soil is improved and compressibility reduced significantly with the addition of a small percentage of plastic waste to the soil. In this paper, an analytical model is proposed to evaluate the response of plastic waste mixed soil. It is noted that the model captures the stress-strain and pore water pressure response of all percentages of plastic waste adequately. The paper also provides a comparative study of failure stress obtained from different published models and the proposed model, which are compared with experimental results. The improvement in strength attributable to the inclusion of plastic waste can be advantageously used in ground improvement projects.

Incipient straining in severe plastic deformation methods

Knowledge of the plasticity associated with the incipient stage of chip formation is useful toward developing an understanding of the deformation field underlying severe plastic deformation processes. The transition from a transient state of straining to a steady state was investigated in plane strain machining of a model material system-copper. Characterization of the evolution to a steady-state deformation field was made by image correlation, hardness mapping, load analysis, and microstructure characterization. Empirical relationships relating the deformation heterogeneity and the process parameters were found and explained by the corresponding effects on shear plane geometry. The results are potentially useful to facilitate a framework for process design of large strain deformation configurations, wherein transient deformation fields prevail. These implications are considered in the present study to quantify the efficiency of processing methods for bulk ultrafine-grained metals by large strain extrusion machining and equal channel angular pressing.

Strength and Deformation Characteristics of Fly Ash Mixed with Randomly Distributed Plastic Waste

In order to explore the potential use of fly ash and plastic waste in bulk quantities in civil engineering applications, it is necessary to understand the behavior of fly ash and fly ash mixed with plastic waste. These materials are considered as wastes and in this study, it is shown that combination of fly ash and plastic waste is very useful. In this regard, various tests such as classification tests, unconfined compressive strength and compressibility tests, consolidated undrained tests, and California bearing ratio tests were conducted. The results indicated that the inclusion of plastic waste in fly ash is effective in improving the engineering properties of fly ash in terms of compressive strength, shear strength parameters, and CBR values. In order to understand the effect of sample size on the shear strength parameters of fly ash and fly ash mixed with plastic waste, consolidated undrained tests were conducted with sample sizes of 38x76mm and 50x100mm. The results of the tests indicate that the shear strength increases with the increase in sample size. The implication of the use of fly ash mixed with plastic waste in unpaved roads is presented in terms of reduction of carbon print.

On the strain rate sensitivity of plastic flow in metallic glasses

The nanoindentation technique was employed to examine the strain rate sensitivity, m, and its dependence on the structural state of a Zr-based bulk metallic glass (BMG). The free volume content in the BMG was varied by examining samples in the as-cast (AC), shot-peened (SP), and structurally relaxed (SR) states. Hardness values measured at different loading rates and over a temperature range of 300-423 K as well as the strain-rate jump tests conducted in the quasi-static regime at room temperature, show that m is always negative. All the load-displacement (P-h) curves in this temperature regime exhibit serrated load-displacement responses, indicating that the shear band mediated inhomogeneous plastic flow governs deformation. Such localization of flow and associated softening is the raison d'etre for the negative m. Significant levels of pile-up around the indents were also noted. The order in the average values of hardness, pile-up heights, and the displacement bursts on the P-h curves was always such that SR > AC > SP, which is also the order of increasing free volume content. These observations were utilized to discuss the reasons for the negative strain rate sensitivity, and its dependence on the structural state of metallic glasses. It is suggested that the positive values of m reported in the literature for them are possibly experimental artefacts that arise due to large pile ups around the indents which lead to erroneous estimation in hardness values. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Smaller is Plastic: Polymorphic Structures and Mechanism of Deformation in Nanoscale hcp Metals

Using first-principles calculations, we establish the existence of highly-stable polymorphs of hcp metals (Ti, Mg, Be, La and Y) with nanoscale structural periodicity. They arise from heterogeneous deformation of the hcp structure occurring in response to large shear stresses localized at the basal planes separated by a few nanometers. Through Landau theoretical analysis, we show that their stability derives from nonlinear coupling between strains at different length scales. Such multiscale hyperelasticity and long-period structures constitute a new mechanism of size-dependent plasticity and its enhancement in nanoscale hcp metals.

General framework for acoustic emission during plastic deformation

Despite the long history, so far there is no general theoretical framework for calculating the acoustic emission spectrum accompanying any plastic deformation. We set up a discrete wave equation with plastic strain rate as a source term and include the Rayleigh-dissipation function to represent dissipation accompanying acoustic emission. We devise a method of bridging the widely separated time scales of plastic deformation and elastic degrees of freedom. While this equation is applicable to any type of plastic deformation, it should be supplemented by evolution equations for the dislocation microstructure for calculating the plastic strain rate. The efficacy of the framework is illustrated by considering three distinct cases of plastic deformation. The first one is the acoustic emission during a typical continuous yield exhibiting a smooth stress-strain curve. We first construct an appropriate set of evolution equations for two types of dislocation densities and then show that the shape of the model stress-strain curve and accompanying acoustic emission spectrum match very well with experimental results. The second and the third are the more complex cases of the Portevin-Le Chatelier bands and the Luders band. These two cases are dealt with in the context of the Ananthakrishna model since the model predicts the three types of the Portevin-Le Chatelier bands and also Luders-like bands. Our results show that for the type-C bands where the serration amplitude is large, the acoustic emission spectrum consists of well-separated bursts of acoustic emission. At higher strain rates of hopping type-B bands, the burst-type acoustic emission spectrum tends to overlap, forming a nearly continuous background with some sharp acoustic emission bursts. The latter can be identified with the nucleation of new bands. The acoustic emission spectrum associated with the continuously propagating type-A band is continuous. These predictions are consistent with experimental results. More importantly, our study shows that the low-amplitude continuous acoustic emission spectrum seen in both the type-B and type-A band regimes is directly correlated to small-amplitude serrations induced by propagating bands. The acoustic emission spectrum of the Luders-like band matches with recent experiments as well. In all of these cases, acoustic emission signals are burstlike, reflecting the intermittent character of dislocation-mediated plastic flow.

On the critical thickness for non-localized to localized plastic flow transition in metallic glasses: A molecular dynamics study

Molecular dynamics simulations were employed to investigate the specimen thickness-dependent tensile behavior of a series of Cu(x)Z(100-x) (x = 20, 40, 50, 64 and 80 at%) metallic glass (MG) films, with a particular focus on the critical thickness, tc, below which non-localized plastic flow takes place. The simulation results reveal that while the transition occurs in all the alloys examined, t(c) is sensitive to the composition. We rationalize t(c) by postulating that the strain energy stored in the sample at the onset of plastic deformation has to be sufficient for the formation of shear bands. The composition-dependence of t(c) was found to correlate with the average activation energy of the atomic level plastic deformation events. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Conversion of plastic waste into CNTs using Ni/Mo/MgO catalystAn optimization approach by mixture experiment

A combustion technique is used to study the synthesis of carbon nano tubes from waste plastic as a precursor and Ni/Mo/MgO as a catalyst. The catalytic activity of three components Ni, Mo, MgO is measured in terms of amount of carbon product obtained. Different proportions of metal ions are optimized using mixture experiment in Design expert software. D-optimal design technique is adopted due to nonsimplex region and presence of constraints in the mixture experiment. The activity of the components is observed to be interdependent and the component Ni is found to be more effective. The catalyst containing Ni0.8Mo0.1MgO0.1 yields more carbon product. The structure of catalyst and CNTs are studied by using SEM, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy. SEM analysis shows the formation of longer CNTs with average diameter of 40-50 nm.